EuroTeQ Collider winter semester 22/23
In fall 2022, the second EuroTeQ Collider started at TUM
The second EuroTeQ Collider at TUM has finished. During the project weeks, the students worked on a total of 12 exciting challenges on the topic of "Leave no waste behind" and developed fascinating projects! Part of the project weeks was an intensive working weekend in Raitenhaslach, where all groups were working on their projects, finalizing ideas and practicing their pitches.
We would like to thank all challenge collaborators and mentors for their great commitment and support. Without them, the EuroTeQ Collider would not be possible!
The final presentations of the second Collider took place on November 18, 2022. Three winning teams on the TUM level in the categories CITIES, ENERGY, CONSUMPTION have been selected to present their projects at the European level, the EuroTeQaThon.
Challenge Collaborator
Dr. Thilo Becker, ENVELON
What was the Challenge?
The initial Name for our Challenge was “Sustainable Self-Sufficient Communities based on Renewable Energy“ and was proposed by the Company Envelon and our later mentor Thilo Becker. The company is an industry leading developer and producer for vertical photovoltaic panels which can be used in facades. So the problem definition seems rather easy: We want to make our contribution to the switch towards renewable energies that is so desperately needed to tackle the challenges of climate change. It was obvious from the beginning that we would use the Envelon panels in our concept, but that we would also include other sources of renewable energy. The fundamental idea of our solution is to develop a self-sufficient community that can produce, store and trade its own energy. By developing such a community, we aim to address solutions to different problems that are occurring as a cause of climate change. While doing so, we wanted to establish a concept that would impact social, economic and technological aspects of sustainable development. We carefully analyzed what are the biggest challenges that affect communities by the undesirable effects of climate change and came to the conclusion that communities are highly affected by low energy security and economic instability (UN Development Goals, 2015). The two essential elements of our solution are securing energy production via enabling communities to produce and store their own energy and creating an economic outcome for communities via trading of the produced energy. As researches show, there is a significant link between supplying safe and stable renewable energy to communities and development of these communities. By conceptualizing renewable energy production on a community basis, we aim to enhance the economic development of the Olympic Village together with increasing the share of renewable energy production of the energy grid system.
Our concept has main areas of production, storage and trading of renewable energy. The production of renewable energy enables the decentralized energy production methods to be enhanced, which is seen as a vital element for sustainable development. Battery storage and power-to-heat storage systems enable the produced energy to be used for further usages, as renewable energy is not the most stable way of obtaining energy. With the energy produced, the residents of the Olympic Village will also be able to charge their e-bikes and e-cars which will include the part of smart charging vehicles to our concept. Lastly, by trading the surplus energy, we aim to enhance the economic development of students living in the Olympic Village. To measure how much energy can be obtained by implementing facade and roof PV on the Olympic Village we used Google Earth, GeoPortal Bayern and JRC Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) of the European Commission.
Challenge Collaborator und Mentor
Abdelgafar Ismail, Infineon
What was the Waste Challenge?
Insentify presents a solution for an alternative smart waste management. In partnership with Infineon Technologies, the project proposes the use of semiconductor sensors to optimize waste collection routes in cities. The solution is composed of four main elements: a sensor module, a web platform, route optimization, and a citizen app. This project targets the current inefficient waste collection in cities, that typically collects waste bins in predetermined timetables regardless of the fill level of the containers, resulting in long travelling distances and stopping times by the trucks, high fuel consumption, high operational costs, and CO2 emissions.
The sensor module consists of infrared, humidity, multi-gases, and temperature sensor, which measure the fill level of the waste bins and other different quality parameters important for the waste collection. The web platform provides real-time bin status and smart waste analytics report, with percentage of different types of waste, the amount of garbage collected on different days, as well as the expected future trends for waste generation and collection. These data enables then the route planning and optimization, the system recognizes bins with 80% filling level and turn red in the map. The route planning system will only take those spots into consideration and generate a new optimized route passing all the full bins. Finally, the citizen app which works as a communication tool between waste management companies and citizens, for information regarding schedule changes, location of nearby public bins, and sortation instructions.
This solution aims to be innovative, robust, easily implementable, scalable, and systemic, with sustainable use of raw materials, energy, and resources. The sensor module can be adapted to any current container system offered by the cities, and different types of sensors can be provided to attend different needs, therefore, low capital cost and materials are required for the implementation of the project. The implementation of this solution supports the development of smart cities, with a sustainable waste collection and transportation management, decreasing the use of non-renewable resources, fuel consumption, general costs, and GHG emissions.
The project is a multidisciplinary concept which requires stakeholder support from different levels, such as programming, semiconductor sensors, server or cloud storage, machine learning and assembling of the product. The next step of the project is to cooperate with private waste collection companies and start a pilot project in smaller cities. Once the pilot project achieves success, Insentify will promote the smart waste collection system to other cities and countries.
Challenge Collaborator and Mentors
Christoph Dietrich und Martin Weiß, STABL Energy
What was the waste challenge?
The “three R’s” of solid waste management which involves reduce, reuse, and recycle are critical in recent times to conserve the natural resources and the environment, thus, a reduction of solid waste at source and the avoidance of waste generation. Our challenge which was facilitated by STABL Energy primarily involves the reuse of Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of second life battery users and EV car manufactures.
REBATT is a sustainable initiative that seeks to find further purpose for end-of-life batteries by using a virtual market to connect individuals who have no use for their batteries and manufacturing companies who wish to recycle their EV batteries. Our goal was to find another use for end-of-life EV batteries.
It is estimated that, by 2030, over 2 million tonnes of EV batteries will come to their end life. The need to therefore find another purpose or use for the 20% of power capacity in these batteries are of importance in recent times. After the useful first life the EV batteries, manufacturers of these batteries have options of recycling, disposing or using them. The latter which current studies suggests, reduces the virgin natural resources used in manufacturing hence a reduction in the amount of battery waste produced.
As a virtual platform, we aim to provide quality checks, which principally involves the monitoring of the battery cells, pack charging as well as ensuring the safety of the batteries. Further, logistic companies with knowledge and expertise will be outsourced to collect, handle, and temporarily store the end-of-life EV batteries before they are sent to customers for second life use. Additionally, fully used second life EV batteries will be collected by from the second life user which will then be transported back to the manufacturer.
We would also like to add by saying the current polices need to be refined with Second life batteries usage be added to the sustainable life cycle of an EV battery.We, REBATT, believe that efficient implementation of the project will reduce the carbon emissions of battery storage by 70% as noted by Stabl Energy.
EuroTeQaThon: November 23 - 25, 2022
The EuroTeQaThon is the highlight of the EuroTeQ Collider and concludes the project weeks of the challenge-based teaching format in an international event of all six partner universities. TUM was host of the second EuroTeQaThon, thus the winning teams of the five partner universities from Paris, Eindhoven, Tallinn, Prague and Copenhagen came to Munich. The aim of the joint event on a European level is to promote the exchange between students from different universities, to further develop concepts and to compete in an international context.
You can watch the stream of the grand finale on Friday, November 25, including the presentations of projects, the final ceremony and overall winner announcement.
These were the Challenges in the WS 22/23
These were the challenges and mentors our students could choose from.
Live with people you vibe
Introduction
The cities of tomorrow will consist of less individual ownership and have to offer a lot of shared assets, including lifetime.
Problem Definition
The future of living is already there -living with roommates, connecting with other people in shared apartments in your house & city, there is so much possible! But it is so hard to find the right people to live with.
What is the Waste Challenge?
One of the key components of saving resources will be shared living space -which is already consuming way fewer resources than any other way of living -but there is still a lot to improve.What is crucial here, is the social aspect. All the other concepts aren’t working, all the creatives and architects will fail if we don't create a social network behind the cities and shared economy of tomorrow.
- How will social sharing of living space save even more resources?
- What is the vibe between people and how do we help them find each other?
- Think about a community of shared apartments -how are they saving resources together?
Who is behind this challenge?
We are heyroom -a startup / digital platform that connects people who are willing to share their living space. www.heyroom.app
Desired Impact
To create change, we need to find a way to bring people with the same vibe together and bring joy into every individual's life, to not waste their rarest resource: live time. #nozweckwg
Skills needed/recommended
The module is open to everyone.
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme
We are looking forward to stay in regular contact during this challenge and having some exciting discussions.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Waste Management in Meropolitan Lagos, Nigeria
Introduction
The world faces global transformational trends, such as population growth, economic development, climate change, water, energy, and food, continually increasing under pressure to support and meet people's demands and needs.According to the United Nation's estimation, the world population will rise to approximately 10 billion people by 2050 (world population prospect, 2015), thereby increasing global demand. The population size wasestimated to be 200 million,and the migration pattern to big cities affects the urban living, increasingeveryday competition for resources(Omololu & Lawal, 2013).Urban centres such as Lagos often faceinadequate infrastructure, increased traffic, and increasedhuman and industrial waste generation. One of the challengesfacing any urban area as a result of urbanisation and population growth is waste managementin urban centres becausethe population has the potentialto produce a large amount of solid waste. With the context of thisbackground, the study examineshow waste can be effectively managedwhile considering the effect of population growth.
Problem Definition
The challenges of waste management havebecome an enormous issue in Lagos because it requires huge capital investment.The state isone of the world'ssixmegacities, with over20 million people. The state and its citizens constantly decline in managingtheir waste due to poor commitment toward integrated waste management strategies such as sortingwaste, reducing waste among the populace,and recycling.
What is the Waste Challenge?
Some of the identified waste challenges are improper collection systems,lack of adequate waste collection equipment,e.g.,vehicles, indiscriminatedumping of wastes, poor implementationof governmentpolicies, and municipalsolid waste recovery and recoverypractices. In addition, researchis neededon how to generate useful energy resourcesfrom these wastes,whichhas calledfor varying questionssuch as will the energygenerated from the waste be sustainableandwhat are the roles ofstakeholdersin such projects.
Who is behind this challenge?
Applicant: Bamgboye Taiwo Temitope (MSc Environmental Engineering)
Other stakeholders are the Lagos State Waste Management Authority and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Department of Sociology.
Desired Impact
To create more awareness in terms of education,the growing population ofLagos metropolis on the effective way to manage waste. Also, to create an efficient public-private partnershipcollaboration to solve the social problem.
Skills needed/recommended
Critical thinking, policy analysis, and affinity for countries from the global south.
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme
We are looking forward to stay in regular contact during this challenge and having some exciting discussions.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
Omololu, F.O., & Lawal, A.S. (2013). Population Growth and Waste Management in Metropolitan Lagos. The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.36108/njsa/3102/11(0260)
System Generation for Smart Waste Collection
Introduction
Increased pace in thedevelopment of cities and countries over the last decades, comes with the increased amount of consumption of resources. While consuming these resources, we usually neglect the fact that we are usingfar more than our earth can sustainably supply. According to PACE (Platform of Accelerating the Circular Economy), only 8.6% of our consumption is cycled back out of 100 billion tons of raw material annually. Poorly managed waste when contaminates with lands and oceans posesa danger to the environment and to human health, as well. Recent findings show that, humans in average may ingest up to 5 grams of microplastics weekly, which weighs equal to an average credit card that can be found in everyone’swallet.
With the technological developments in the last century, semiconductors have been an essential part of the information revolution, which reshaped our society. Modern society would not exist without this vital resource. Moreover, semiconductors are fundamental to many sustainability solutions such as automation, smart infrastructure, electrification, virtualization, and mobility.
Problem Definition
Solid waste management also known as municipal waste is a crucial part of planning sustainable and inclusive cities for communities. Contribution of waste management to total global greenhouse emissions is around 5 percent, whichmay be resulting from insufficient waste collection, inadequate waste dumping and/orburning strategies. Moreover, waste management can be the single highest budget item for many local administrations. Municipalities in low-income countries are spending about 20 percent of their budgets on waste management, on average — yet over 90 percent of waste in low-incomecountries is still openly dumped or burned. Waste collection is a fundamentally important step in overall waste management. Collection strategies may vary depending on the geography, population, income levels, and many other factors. The main goal of a waste collection strategy is to collect in a timely and economical manner, in order to ease the subsequent waste sorting and/or treatment stage with the aim to maximize re-use and recycling for enabling circular economy.
What is the Waste Challenge?
In the book What a Waste 2.0 that is published by World Bank Group, annual municipal waste generation is around 2.01 billion tons worldwide and is expected to steadily increase up to 3.40 by 2050 according to their waste generation projection. In order to cope with this immense amount of waste generation, we need advance waste collection strategies. How can Infineon products and services be used for enabling digitalization in waste management particularly waste collection strategies?
- What is the status on municipal waste collection? (e.g. current status + market research)
- How can the municipal waste collection be established, enabled, strengthenwith technologies using semiconductors? (e.g. robotics, sensors, AI, IoT, Deep Learning, Quantum computing, Big data)
- What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the waste collection system you suggested and how can the risks be managed?
- What are the environmental, social, economic, and governmental implications of your waste collection?
Who is behind this challenge?
Infineon Technologies AG is a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon are the key to a better future. With around 50,280 employees worldwide, Infineon is the link between the real and the digital world. In the fiscal year 2021, Infineon reported revenue of more than €11 billion. Municipalities: The collection and recovery of household waste at the municipal level are mostly governed by municipal ordinances.
Desired Impact
The proposed outcome is desired to hold a potential connected solution covering different aspects on:•Health and Well-beingImprovement of overall well-being and creating safe living working conditions.
- Biodiversity: Preserving the variety of life that can be found on the earth.
- Climate Protection: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.•Food and WaterIncreasing access to healthy food and clean water.
- Energy and Mobility: Ensuring access to energy, the ability to get around.
- Resilience: Building people’s capacity to survive or even thrive in the face of disruption.
- Jobs and Livelihoods: Providing meaningful work and building assets in a community.
The proposed solution to the challenge is also expected to be aligned withUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.
- GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION: Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.
- GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for allin order to accomplish continuous development
- GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Investments in infrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable development.
- GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.
- GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION: Assurance of sustainable consumption and production patterns
- GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION: Taking actionfor climate change and its impacts
- GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND: Protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, management sustainablyofforests, combat desertification, and haltingand reverse land degradation and halting biodiversity loss
- GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER: Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
Skills needed/recommended
Aninterdisciplinary team approach is encouraged. People from different backgrounds of academic education are expected to contribute to the common goal.
Relevant Considerations for the challenge/theme
In this challenge, technologies mainly refer to semiconductor-embedded electronics such as robotics, AI, IoT, deep learning, quantum computing, big data, and sensors. While providing solution proposal, business impact assessment should also be considered besides technological and innovative aspects.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
Applications of Infineon semiconductors
Infineon Sustainability Report
European Environment Agency –Digital Technologies on Waste Management
What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050
Standardization of Renewable Energy Solutions for Quarters to speed-up the Heat Transition in Cities
Introduction
The City of Munich has the aim to be climate neutral until 2035. The Energy Transition in Cities, especially the transition of covering the heat demand, is one of the keys to reach this goal.This became even more important since the security of energy delivery and the independence from imports are in the focus nowadays. Now, the City is developing a heat transition plan. One key element of it is expanding and decarbonizing the district heating network. However,this will cover not at all the whole heat demand of the city. Up to half of the cities heat demand must be covered by decentral energy supply,mainly using efficient heat pump systems or waste heat solutions. Hence, at locations withouta connection to the district heating system, house owners should change their heating system to e.g. heat pumps. Nevertheless, the most impact is seen in providing independent energy solutions for Quarters, for instant by so called 5thgeneration grids, small grids running with low temperaturesproviding heat and cooling for the quarter.These grids arein general very individually designed and need a lot of planning effort. But to reach climate goals and heat transition aims a fast and successful implementation of such grids in the city is necessary, so this process should be speed-upand simplified.
Problem Definition
To reach the climate goals of the city and the heat transition, fast heat transition is needed. Therefore, implementation of climate-friendly energy solutions for quarters in cities must be pushed on. This couldbe reached by i) a simplification and standardisation of installation procedures of 5th generation grids and of house refurbishments.Some activities in this directions already exist but no satisfying solutions arethere. In practice the individual design of such energy supplies for quarters need a long tim efor planning and implementation which slow down the energy transition.
What is the Waste Challenge?
The first step in this activity is to evaluate renewable energy solutions for quarters, especially 5thgeneration grids (low temperature grids)and work out similarities and differences.The challenge is to take this analysis and develop atool or guideline for an easy-to-implement standardization of such solutions for‘serialimplementations’, considering also city requirements and with a maximum of CO2-savings to push the energy transition in Cities.
- Is it possible to simplify good practice renewable energy solutions for quarters for a fast implementation?
- Are low temperature grids also possible for the building stock?
- How much is the potential loss of CO2 savings for such ‘serial solutions’ and is this acceptable?
- Could a stepwise implementation without a strong negative aspect for the investors be a reasonable way?
- How can a standardized renewable energy solution for quarters be implemented in energy action planning tools?
Who is behind this challenge?
The Geothermal Group of the Chair of Hydrogeology works in the field of renewable energy, especially on geothermal energy supply and search beyond others for good practice implementation of shallow geothermal low temperature grids. In this field, we develop tools for energy action plans including geothermal potential and participate in several municipal and regional heat transition activities, like the Munich heat transition planning. Here we work strongly together e.g. with the department of climate and environment of the City of Munich, the Stadtwerke München, the Environmental Agency of Bavaria, the Company Enanio, with planers and other stakeholders on different levels.
Desired Impact
As result Cities, here the City of Munich and planners, like the Stadtwerke München, are able to accelerate the heat transition in the city. The use of the huge potential of efficient low temperature grids will be considerably fostered by integrating low temperature grid solutions in energy planning tools. Relevant stakeholders will be informed of the existence of such solutions and advised to implement low temperature grids.
Skills needed/recommended
In general, the knowledge of renewable energy technology and climate friendly construction work is an advantage for this challenge.
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme
It would be good to evaluate existing renewable energy solutions for quarters and low temperature grids and find out similarities and differences. For this activity it is recommended to gather information of research projects or examples from Associations like Bundesverband Wärmepumpe, Bundesverband Geothermie etc.and planners (Baugrund Süd, Geoenergie Konzept, ...).
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
www.energynet.de/2018/01/17/kalte-nahwaerme/
ee-ip.org/de/article/was-ist-kalte-nahwaerme-5862
www.durchblick-energiewende.de/wissen/energie/kalte-nahwaerme-waermenetze-der-zukunft
www.geothermie.de/bibliothek/lexikon-der-geothermie/n/nahwaerme-kalte.html
blog.paradigma.de/grundlagenwissen-waermenetz-teil-4-was-ist-ein-kaltes-waermenetz/
Sustainable Self-Sufficient Communities based on Renewable Energy (Energy/Cities)
Introduction
Global heating is one of the most urgent challenges we currently face as a society.Greenhouse gases such as CO2and Methane are the main drivers of climate change. Over 73 % of the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the energy sector. Within this, transportation and buildings are responsible for over 32 %. The creation of more sustainable communities based on renewable energy provide an enormous opportunity to tackle global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore the phenomenon of global heating.
Problem Definition
In contrast to nuclear or coal-fired power plants, the energy generated by renewable energies such as wind power or photovoltaics (solar) is not constant over time. Photovoltaic systems, for example, can only generate electricity during daylight hours. This can not only putthe stability of the power gridat risk, but also means that these renewable energy technologies require additional infrastructure to providea reliable power supply throughout the day. Some technical solutions already exist to counteract this phenomenon. Vertical photovoltaic systems, for example, can make electricity generation much more homogeneous throughout the dayand even throughout the year compared to conventional photovoltaic systems. As solar panels produce the greatest amount of electricity when the sun is directly perpendicular to the panel, vertically installed panels are particularly effective in the mornings, evenings and in winter. Conventionally installed panels have a significantly stronger peak production in summer and in the middle of the day. Energy storage systems can also be used to temporarily store excess production.
What is the Waste Challenge?
Your challenge is to develop a concept for a smart community featuring energy self-sufficiency and suitable storage and distribution systems for renewable electricity.
- How can innovative renewable energy concepts, such as solar facades be leveraged as enablers of self-sufficient sustainable communities?
- What could a smart network within a self-sufficient community look like? How can we enable a stable storage and distribution solution for electric energy?
- What regulatory and societal challenges could one face during the realization of smart self-sustainable cities?
Who is behind this challenge?
ENVELON offers an innovative system for solar active façades under the umbrella of the multinational Grenzebach Group. Since its founding, a team of experienced experts from various fields of automation as well as the glass and solar industries have been working together on a common vision: to provide Germany, Europe, and the world with technology that will make it possible to generate sustainable energy directly on buildings over the long term. In this context, we blend tradition and innovation to deliver products and services of the highest quality and performance –we deliberately produce our façade panels in Hamlar, in the Donau-Ries region of Bavaria. As a family business with strong convictions, we are therefore bringing the solar industry back to Germany and offering a flexible system “Made in Germany” –combined with an experienced and highly skilled network of international partners.
Desired Impact
The aim of the challenge is to generate innovative concepts for smart self-sufficient cities which can be used as inspiration for various projects in the field of renewable energies and urban planning.
Skills needed/recommended
Any background from engineering to sociology is suitable for this project. We are looking for a diverse team with both technical and non-technical backgrounds
Relevant considerations for the challenge/ theme
The challenge should focus on available renewable technologies, in particular photovoltaic energy.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
ENVELON | Solar-active facades from Germany
Dr.-Ing. Thilo Becker: thilo.becker@grenzebach.com
Background on the Energy supply and demand: https://energy-charts.info/
Background for building integrated PV (German only): Allianz-BIPV-Info-Broschüre-final.pdf
Innovative Solar Energy Concepts for a Stable Electricity Grid
Introduction
Global heating is one of the most urgent challenges we currently face as a society. Greenhouse gases such as CO2 and Methane are the main drivers of climate change.Over 73 % of the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the energy sector. Within this, transportation and buildings are responsible for over 32 %. The creation ofmore sustainable communities based on renewable energy provide an enormous opportunity to tackle global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore the phenomenon of global heating.
Problem Definition
In contrast to nuclear or coal-fired power plants, the energy generated by renewable energies such as wind power or photovoltaics (solar) is not constant over time. Photovoltaic systems, for example, can only generate electricity during daylight hours. Feed-in tariffs motivate operators of photovoltaic systemsto produce as much electricity as possible, regardless of the grid load. Large photovoltaic power plants are therefore typically built to face southwards in order to optimize the total energy yield throughout the day. Especially in summer, this leads to an overproduction around noon and a very low share of solar electricity in the morning and evening as well as in winter.
Solarfaçades differ from such photovoltaic power plants, as the solar panels are arranged vertically, maximizing their output during times when the sun is low on the horizon. This occurs in winter as well as mornings and evenings. While the overall power output is thus lower compared to a conventional photovoltaic power plant, the energy is produced mor evenly throughout the day and year. This reduces the stress on the electricity grid and facilitates the direct use of energy within a building. However, current incentives for renewable energies such as feed-in tariffs do not promote this highly sustainable way of photovoltaic energy production.
What is the Waste Challenge?
Your challenge is todevelop a policy paperto promote photovoltaic power plants and solar facades optimized for homogeneous energy productionand a more stable grid.
- What incentives could be used to promote solar facades?
- How do typical load profiles in a building/city/country compare to the output of a conventional photovoltaic power plant and a vertical photovoltaic system, such as a façade?
- What would be the ideal mix of conventional photovoltaic power plants and vertical photovoltaic systems, such as façades?
Who is behind this challenge?
ENVELON offers an innovative system for solar active façades under the umbrella of the multinational Grenzebach Group. Since its founding, a team of experienced experts from various fields of automation as well as the glass and solar industries have been working together on a common vision: to provide Germany, Europe, and the world with technology that will make it possible to generate sustainable energy directly on buildings over the long term. In this context, we blend tradition and innovation to deliver products and services of the highest quality and performance –we deliberately produce our façade panels in Hamlar, in the Donau-Ries region of Bavaria. As a family business with strong convictions, we are therefore bringing the solar industry back to Germany and offering a flexible system “Made in Germany” – combined with an experienced and highly skilled network of international partners.
Desired Impact
The aim of the challenge is to generate a policy paper and provide guidance on the use of vertical photovoltaics for more sustainable renewableenergy.
Skills needed/recommended
Any background from engineering to sociology is suitable for this project. We are looking for a diverse team with both technical and non-technical backgrounds
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme:
The challenge should create a strong summary of the current situation, provide recommendations for a better future utilization of solar facades, and finally propose a policy paper to promote vertical and other photovoltaic systems optimized for a stable grid and energy supply.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
ENVELON | Solar-active facades from Germany
Dr.-Ing. Thilo Becker: thilo.becker@grenzebach.com
Background on the Energy supply and demand: https://energy-charts.info/
Background for building integrated PV (German only): Allianz-BIPV-Info-Broschüre-final.pdf
Reducing Packaging Waste from Photovoltaic Solar Panels (Consumption)
Introduction
Global heating is one of the most urgent challenges we currently face as a society. Greenhouse gases such as CO2 and Methane are the main drivers of climate change. Over 73 % of the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the energy sector. Within this, transportation and buildings are responsible for over 32 %. The creation ofmore sustainable communities based on renewable energy provide an enormous opportunity to tackle global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore the phenomenon of global heating.
Problem Definition
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) play a key role in future renewable energy generation. Solar facades in particular can form both an integral part of the building while producing electricity throughout the day. Current packaging systems for transporting PV-Modules to building sites are either single-use or reusable. Reusable packaging is durable and generally provides good protection from the elements (wind, rain, etc.), but it is also expensive and the logistical hurdles for returning itback to the PV module producer for re-use are complicated and costly. Often reusable packaging is discarded after only fewuses due to insufficient logistics and return options. Though cheaper, single use packaging provides little protection against the elements (wind, rain, etc.) on a building site and leads to large volumes of waste.
What is the Waste Challenge?
- Your challenge is todevelop a novel packaging design for BIPV façade modules and a corresponding business model.
- How can the packaging bemademore sustainable?
- What could a return infrastructure for BIPV-packaging look like?
- What materials are most suitable for re-usable packaging?
- How can the durability of re-usable packaging be improved?
- Can re-designed single use packaging be a sustainable alternative?
Who is behind this challenge?
ENVELON offers an innovative system for solar active façades under the umbrella of the multinational Grenzebach Group. Since its founding, a team of experienced experts from various fields of automation as well as the glass and solar industries have been working togetheron a common vision: to provide Germany, Europe, and the world with technology that will make it possible to generate sustainable energy directly on buildings over the long term. In this context, we blend tradition and innovation to deliver products and services of the highest quality and performance –we deliberately produce our façade panels in Hamlar, in the Donau-Ries region of Bavaria. As a family business with strong convictions, we are therefore bringing the solar industry back to Germany and offering a flexible system “Made in Germany” – combined with an experienced and highly skilled network of international partners.
Desired Impact
The aim of the challengeis todesign a prototype packaging system and, in the case of reusable packaging, develop a return system from the building site to the PV-module producer.
Skills needed/recommended
Any background from engineering to sociology is suitable for this project. We are looking for a diverse team with both technical and non-technical backgrounds
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
ENVELON | Solar-active facades from Germany
Dr.-Ing. Thilo Becker: thilo.becker@grenzebach.com
Does battery recycling compete with second-life usage? (Energy)
Introduction
STABL Energy strives for sustainable energy use with its power conversion technology. Our goal is to increase the deployment of energy storage for renewable energy by setting a new standard for battery storage. With our easy-to-integrate technology, we improve battery storage systems in terms of design, safety, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and handling.
Problem Definition
Battery recycling not only serves the purpose to improve the sustainable use of resources but is also a strategic topic of car makers to decrease the dependency on countries that provide the resources. Recycling is one option to be in control of the resources and have the necessary supply to produce batteries in the future. This objective may be conflicting with the re-use of batteries for second-life applications.
What is the Waste Challenge?
A possible question is if the resources needed in battery chemistries today are still as relevant for the next generation of battery technology. Cobalt, for example; its share in the battery is continuously reduced and may not be used at all in the future. Completely new battery types and chemistries like solid-state may work towards or against this trend.The project group may also explorethe expected behavior from car manufacturers: re-use of batteries reduces the demand for new batteries in electricity-grid applications. For the individual car manufacturer to benefit from this, the entire industry needs to coordinate its efforts. Solo efforts could easily undermine any coordinated action. The project group should give an overview of all identified factors and current trends in the industryand develop a recommendation for used batteries.
- Will the resources needed in battery chemistries today still be as relevant for the next generation of battery technology?
- What usage strategy can be expected fromdistributors of batteries like car manufacturers?
- What factors and trends will be needed to defined in order to coordinate action of the entire industry rather than individual players going it alone?
Who is behind this challenge?
Founded in 2019, STABL Energy is one of the most innovative startups for the energy transition, winning the pv-magazine Megawatt Award in 2020 and the ees Award in 2022, and being named a global Top100 Energy Startup in 2021. We are funded by renowned and experienced Tech VCs from Germany and Switzerland.We are all united by the vision of enabling a climate-neutral energy system: with safe, sustainable, and efficient battery storage systems.
Desired Impact
If used batteries such as traction batteries for electric vehicles were simply reused after their first use instead of being recycled directly in complex and costly processes, the greater availability and thus presumably lower costs would make the use of battery storage more interesting. Battery storage is an essential part of our strategy to mitigate global warming through the use of more renewable energy in the electricity grid. Since renewable energies are very volatile, a buffer is needed for temporal or spatial separation of energy production and energy use.Currently, the necessity of recycling batteries is still underestimated, since only a few batteries have reached the end of their life. This will change massively in the next few years, as the number of returns of electric cars, electric scooters or other electric mobility devices will increase significantly. We assume that the players along the cycle from raw material to raw material are currently not connected enough to be able to enter into meaningful political discussions. Once the relevant factors are identified, the right contacts for cross-industry issues could be identified and addressed.
Skills needed/recommended
- You’re a team of 2-3 people studying in the fourth semester onwards;
- You are interested in strategic issues of an innovative high-techhardwarestartup;
- You are open to new things and cancreatively deal with challenges;
- You have an independent, structured and systematic way of working;
- Ideally, you are a well-established team that is eager to experiment and has a great passion for providing new impulses;
- You have good English skills; German skills would be great to have.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Social innovation towards a sustainable European food system
Introduction
Our food system is broken. Whereas more than half of the planet is overweight, the others starve to death. Food production is linked to GHG emissions, deforestation, resource depletion, soil and water pollution, biodiversity loss and ocean dead zones, to name but a few. In Europe, standard dietsbased on large consumption of animal products and highly processed foods are detrimental to the environment and people ́s health.
In the context of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the European Union wants to encourage positive transformative change towards a more sustainableand fair food system.In particular, the EU called for moresocietal awareness of and engagement with thefood system, and for the adoption of more sustainable diets based on low-processed and plant-based foods. However, top-down, market-based and normative approaches perform poorly in this respect. For this reason, more bottom-up and social ways of transforming and innovating towards more sustainable and conscious food behavior are needed. Educating on food and dietary sustainability and increasing food awareness are central in this respect. This includes not only providing quality and unbiased food information but re-thinking and re-designing the food environment especially for younger generations. In this context, this Challenge wants to enable young Europeans to give an informed answer to the question: Where are your Foodsteps leading, and where do you want them to lead?
What is the Waste-Challenge?
When considering food, we are used to think of waste as what we may throw away in the bio trash can. But in this Challenge, we want to explore the idea of waste from a different angle. First, food waste is also the food that is lost by an inconsiderate and inefficient use of resources. In this sense, behind some foods we consume, there might be an intrinsic waste we do not see. Second, consuming food unmindfully and with no awareness of its realvalue in a sense is also a form of waste as it is careless; this is also linked to actual food waste in its conventional meaning, e.g., webuy more food than we need (because we don ́t value it) and end up throwing it away.
Considering these two dimensions, the Challenge aims at finding innovative ways to empower people to understand, reflect on and shape their Foodprint. The goal is increasing education on food sustainability on the one side while also re-connecting people with the food they eat and the ways they can contribute to positive change in the food system. The Challenge is highly open-ended as participants can start from the analysis of the context and the relevant stakeholders to discuss and explore what are the best innovative solutions and initiatives to implement to contribute to the goal.
Ideally, the group could build on the work the Foodprint team already did in the last edition of the EuroTeQ Collider. There, the group came up with a concept for a Foodprint Canteen, a scalable model for an “empowering canteen” that could be virtually applied to any school/university canteen in Europe.
The concept was based on an approach of information and education by design. The idea is to transform the school or university canteen from a place where you go to just consume food into an empowering environment where people can get more connected to and learn about the food they eat, and more in general about food sustainability. The Foodprint Canteen Modelis based on two main pillars:
- Pillar Food Environment: changes in the design of the food environment, especially in the menu design, in ways that make the environmental impacts of different foods clearly visible and understandable. For this pillar we thought about building aFoodprint Calculator that could automatically compute environmental impacts of different dishes served in the canteen. This is coupled with a color-coded label that would be displayed in the menus to visually communicate the impacts to users.
- Pillar Transformative Education: implementing transformative learning in the canteen environment to (re-)educate on dietary sustainability. Transformative learning is based on the idea that you cannot just educate people like they were empty containers, but you need to address their existing fears, doubts and believes (about diet and sustainability in this case). We explored the possibility to use the EDx App, an open-source transformative learning app developed in partnership with the United Nations to offer smartphone micro-courses to big communities of learners.
- NB: for getting an email with more information (i.e.,mock-ups, last year ́s report or pitch presentation) see contact details below!
Whereas we got to work a little more on the first pillar, we did not get the chance to really explore the second pillar in detail. This could be one of the areas where the project could be expanded.There is indeed much to explore, for instance a detailed course program could be developed, maybe even looking for professionals who would participate in creating it. Also, considering how to exactly implement the courses in the canteen environment, for instance using QR code installations. Also, we individuated many stakeholderslast yearas well as possible partners and sponsors, so in this edition it could be interestingto contact them and include their perspectives on and evaluations of the Foodprint Model, in a real design thinking spirit! Also, last year we already held qualitative interviews with canteen users, but only more in general to understand their attitudes towards food sustainability and their needs. This time students could also confront users already with a more developed model and get constructive feedback on user end, in the spirit of co-creation.
Of course, there were many otherinitialideas we did not get to exploreat allin the last edition such as:
- QR-code installations in strategic points (such as waiting line) that students can scan. These could containinformation, fun facts and other inputs related to the foods that are in the menu that day.
- (An expansion and more sophisticated versionof the above) QR-codes to scan for each or some of the foodsserved that day. These could contain general information about the foods, their production and resulting environmental impact, their history, current data or issues related to it.
- Create an app for canteen users that keeps track of your Foodprint (linked to the Calculator). You could track your progress, share it with others. According to technical capacities, this could even be expanded even further by elaborating positive reinforcement mechanisms.
- ..... (This could be you!)
In general, whereas it could be interesting to build on the project of last semester, this is not mandatory. You are not limited by our past work or the directions we took last year. Many other initiatives/ projectsin the university, online or in the city are possible, and countless! What initiatives are chosenby the groupwill of coursedepend much on the preferencesof the group and on the type of (technical) expertise and resources available.
Desired Outcome
People eating in the canteenwillbe empowered and more informed about their food choices, andsomemight even change their consumption choices. The concepts, solutions and initiatives elaborated in the project should be flexible and scalable enoughin ways that they can be later applied and extended to virtually any university / schoolor even public institutions, adapting it to the relevant contexts and publics.
In addition, thevery participantsof the Challenge willcome out of this experience feeling enriched and empowered. Also, valuable connections and synergies could outlive the project itself as the students could become part of the Foodprint student organization which is currently still forming.
Desired Impact
Knowledgeis power. Being aware ofthe real impact of daily food choices and food-related behaviors, people can make more informed decisionsabout their diets that better align to their values and the future they want to help bring into being. By educating people about food and dietary sustainability, we empower them to become responsible food citizens instead of mere passive consumers. In this sense, we also contribute to enhancing food democracyand set the grounds for a more participative, inclusive and fair governance of the food system.
How-To-Foodprint
How do we address the problem? To participate in the Challenge, people need to be open-minded, open to dialogue and perhaps even ready to reflect critically on their own beliefs and behaviors. The key is to always be respectful of others and be aware that food is linked to culture, traditions, experiences and memories of the people we love. Even if we do focus ultimately on food sustainability and educating food citizens, we should keep in mind food is also much more. The fact that the project group will have high diversity and international character should be our strength, not our weakness.
What is our spirit? What is our communication? We do not want to make people feel judged or overwhelm them with too much or too technical information. We aim at people ́s brain and stomach but we actually want to hit their hearts. Thecommunication and spirit behind the initiatives should be positive, empowering and non-judgmental. This also includes avoiding what I call the “rhetoric of sacrifice”. We are not trying to shame people into “restricting” their behaviors and “give up pleasures” in the name of higher moral principles. The spirit is not that of “less”, but of “more:” we want to benefit peopleby educating and empowering them. We want to encourage them to be active and make informed decisions. We are offering, we are not taking away or imposing. We cannot and do not want to force people to have more sustainable diets, but we want to enable them to by giving them access to quality information/education.
How do we educate? Educating is not equal to informing. Whereas giving information in the strict sense of the term is of course a big part of it, education can come in many creative, innovative and even unconventional forms. Even when we aresimply “informing”, the way information is conveyed can vary a lot, with great impact on the outcome. This does not only include the communication, but also the form information takes. We can be absolutely open about this in the Challenge and explore many different mediums and concepts to convey this information. Everything goes, as long as it is feasible, flexible and empowering!
Would you like to participate in the Challenge? Do you have any questions, remarks, comments? Would you like to get an email with our presentation for last year ́s pitch, the report and see our mock-ups of the Foodprint Model?
Do not hesitate to contact us anytime!
Contact details
Giada Severini
giada.severini@tum.de
foodprintchallenge2022@gmail.com
+39 345 1440 764
Recycling of Renewable Energy Waste
Introduction
Sustainability is the megatrend of the 21st century. At the moment, it is mainly ecological aspects that are being discussed, such as combating climate change and adapting to it.In this context, the federal government is pushing the expansion of renewable energies.
Problem Definition
One aspect that has not been sufficiently discussed so far is the recycling of renewable energies.This is a big topic that few people have talked about so far, because renewable energies are to be built as much as possible for the time being -come what may.
What is the Waste Challenge?
- How are rotor blades from wind turbines, concrete blocks from onshore wind turbines, solar panels recycled?
- How are these products disposed of so far? How can they be disposed ofmore sustainably?
- How high is the risk of associated environmental damage?How can circular processes be set up around the recycling of renewable energies?
Who is behind this challenge?
BayernLB is a top commercial bank in Germany and has established itself as a streamlined bank for promising sectors of the German economy. The BayernLB Group is one the country’s top property financiers andasset managers. Through its Real Estate division, a core business area, the Bank finances property in all asset classes. BayernLB is there for its real estate customers, both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
BayernLB is also very active in the field of renewable energies:BayernLB has been supporting the energy turnaround for more than 15 years by financing solar and wind parks. In 150 transactions, EUR 7.5 billion in investment volume and 4.4 GW of installed capacity were represented worldwide. The electricity produced corresponds to the annual consumption of 2.4 million households. This avoids CO2 emissions of 3.9 million tonnes per year.
Desired Impact
The aim of this challenge is to first get an overview of how renewable energy components are currently disposed of and recycled. Subsequently, it can be analysed how the recycling of renewable energies, subdivided according to the different products, can be set up more sustainably and in the sense of circular processes. This can lead to approaches for companies on how to design their products more sustainably in the future.
Relevant links
The promising Ricochet Effect
Introduction
Nature has evolved and optimized itself over centuries through natural selection. Therefore, it represents an abundant source of knowledge and inspiration. Biomimicry is a process of innovation, where the strategies of nature are understood and mimicked, in order to tackle technical challenges. The gills of Manta Ray are a great example of such an optimized system. Thanks to the ricochet effect [1] the Manta can filter plancton out of the water efficiently without their gills clogging.
What is the Waste Challenge?
With increasing processing and different possibilities of recycling, the subsequent separation of materials and chemicals is becoming crucial. Filters play an essential role here. Through them we separate the clean from the dirty, the recyclable from the non-recyclable or the waste from our nature. One problem with filters, however, is that they clog and thus become waste themselves at the end of their lifecycle. A characteristic not shared by the filtering gills of the manta ray. Due to the flow characteristics of the gills, which are lined up next to each other, particle-free water can pass through. Hence, the Ricochet Effect seems to be a promising strategy to tackle some great waste issues. However, it introduces new challenges that need to be solved. Since the water flow must be maintained via the gills/fins, a kind of dirty water and fresh water cycle is created. Further, flow velocity and flow angle must remain constant or at least be adjustable. One could try to solve these challenges, however, it may also be that there are already applications where the difficulties of this solution are not relevant and the advantages can be utilized. Accordingly, we pose the following challenges to you.
- How can the ricochet Effect be used in a technical setting?
- Define a waste problem that could effectively be tackled using the ricochet effect.
- Find limiting factors of the Ricochet Effect, and how one might overcome them.
- How can the Ricochet effect be utilized and expanded upon to tackle current waste challenges we are facing?
Who is behind the challenge?
We are a team of 7 motivated students from various fields of studies. Within the TUM:Junge Akademie we have joined forces to form the team Membrains [2]. The fact that we can all draw so much from the work on our project, has motivated us to set this challenge. We are curious about your creative ideas, open input and potential solutions to the subject we are passionate about.
Desired Impact
The link of the climate-smart agribusiness plan with the WEF Nexus entails the use of technologies that do not damage the environment. Furthermore, it will raise awareness among the community and the local farmers about different ways of producing and processing food. It could create a domino effect that would lead to capacity development and to scale the system within the local farmers.
Relevant considerations for the challenge/ theme
The team is free in their use of biomimicry to tackle this challenge. Though the main interest of the challenge should be the ricochet effect, it might be interesting to look at other animals or plants for further inspiration. Focus should be put on one of the key questions.
Skills needed/recommended
The module is open to everyone but some skills might be especially useful for our Challenge
- Fundamental understanding of fluid mechanics?
- Engineering fundamentals?
For further investigation of the idea a tutorial for Ansys a fluid simulation software will be provided, which can be used by TUM students. For very eager students we are able to provide a testing ground for their built prototype, which uses standard tubing and a water pump.
Relevant links
Download challenge description as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
[1]https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aat9533
[2]https://www.ja.tum.de/ja/projekte/2022/membrains/
Contact: membrains@ja.tum.de
Tutors: Julius Wenzler (julius.wenzler@tum.de) Laura Gentner: (laura.gentner@tum.de)
Electrification of Aircraft (Energy)
Introduction
Energy used for transport is a significant percentage of each person’s energy utilization. For example, in the UK, it is estimated that on average 32% of a person’s energy consumption is used for transport.
Electrification of automotive vehicles is well underway, but there is still much to be done to electrify flight. The required energy density required for aircraft often comes from sources of combustion which are not sustainable or environmentally friendly. Electrification of aircraft provides opportunity for propulsion energy to come from clean and renewable green energy sources. To succeed it is essential that you provide clear, quantitative, data-driven conclusions underpinned by use of rigorous mathematical models and time-domain simulations.
What is the Waste Challenge?
You will use an existing MATLAB®, Simulink®, and Simscape™ representation of an all-electric aircraft as the basis for this project. You will extend this by building models of a variety of aircraft electrical energy storage and equipment which permit a thorough evaluation of energy consumption. Use the models to provide informed, data-driven, comparisons, and recommendations as to the most promising electrical configurations and technologies.
Suggested steps:
- Become familiar with existing electric aircraft models (links below) and use these as the basis for your project.
- Project variations: Choose one of the following project ideas:
- Build or integrate a model of an energy storage system. Consider weight, size, and efficiency of one of:
- Hydrogen
- Fuel Cell
- Battery
- Other novel sources?
- Use the model to compare advantages of different distribution systems:
- AC
- DC
- Mixed AC/DC
- Build or integrate a more detailed and representative model of one of these loads:
- Propulsion
- Sensors and electrical actuators
- HVAC
- Galley/Hotel
- Infotainment
- Other areas?
- Build or integrate a model of an energy storage system. Consider weight, size, and efficiency of one of:
- Calculate expected efficiency and power requirements for a variety of typical flights
- Write up data-drive recommendations to influence each of:
- Individuals – should technologies you investigated influence flight purchasing decisions by passengers?
- Industry – should the technology you investigated be further developed and why?
- Government – shape government policy to direct investment and multiply the benefits
Advanced project work:
- Pick additional item/items from the project variations above.
- Parameterize the aircraft for multiple configurations: a variety of passenger capacities and multiple geographic locations.
- For comparative purposes, build one model of conventional
- Propulsion, or
- Actuation
Desired Outcome
Show the feasibility of an aircraft energy system leading to lower emission rates, e.g., by optimized energy provision, energy distribution or energy conversion. This demo will be openly available on GitHub for the community to foster further evaluation for the enhancement of knowledge.
Desired Impact
Contribute to the global transition to zero-emission energy sources by electrification of flight.
Background: In 2018, aviation was estimated to be responsible for 2.5% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, with projections predicting values of up to 5% in 2050. Other aviation emissions (e.g. water vapor, nitrogen oxide emissions, etc.) that contribute to climate change, attribute an even higher impact on climate change to aviation emissions (from 2020 white paper ZERO EMISSION AVIATION, p. 11).
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme:
This project is to be developed using MathWorks’ tools and made openly available for the community. This will be in the form of demos, simulations and models.
Relevant links
Download challenge desccription as pdf
Download challenge presentation as pdf
The challenge can be found on Github (Electrification of Aircraft) as Part of MathWorks’ Excellence in Innovation Program.
Background Material:
Creating the universities of tomorrow by optimizing lectures with regards to their energy efficiency (Energy)
Introduction
The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic hasrocked the universities across the world with presence lectures no longer being possible and online lectures becoming daily routine. Even though education in presence has been now reestablished in several universities, the experience and know-how gathered over the past years about online teaching cannot be ignored. As the biggest difference between presence and online lecture, transport has a significant impact on the energy consumption of lectures. Through optimization of lecture schedules and a mix of online and on-site lectures, universities could potentially reduce their energy footprint. We already have developed a simple calculator tool, our elecCalc, which allows lecturers and students to calculate the energy consumption of individual lectures. Using this toolkit as a base, we want to expand on this idea and create a tool which is easy and convenient to use, but also sophisticated under the hood. Eventually, this calculator could then be routinely integrated in the planning and scheduling of lectures.
What is the Waste Challenge?
By challenging the participants to expand our elecCalc and create a tool that can be used to plan energy-efficient schedules, we are challenging them to understand and help others understand the impact of daily activities on our energy consumption. Through our challenge, all stakeholders can understand the impact of transportation on the energy consumption of lectures and acknowledge the opportunities given by digitalization. Having built this understanding and acknowledgment, both the challenge participants and the future users of the expanded elecCalc can efficiently shape their daily lives to avoid wasting energy, for instance through unnecessary commuting.
Key questions:
- How can the students' schedules be optimized with the help of known energy consumption of individual lectures?
- Can the energy consumption of lectures be minimized by creating hybrid lectures where the splitting is based on travel distance?
- What are key infrastructure components, through which the universities themselves can significantly save energy?
- What is the minimum amount of information such a calculator needs to produce sensible results?
- How can you create a tool that is suitable for different universities?
Desired Outcome
The desired outcome of this challenge is an improved (re-)implementation of our elecCalc toolkit, making it a more feature-rich and user-friendly experience. It should provide a toolkit for both students and lecturers to analyze the energy consumption of lectures, giving them the opportunity to optimize individual lectures as well as weekly schedules under the aspect of energy efficiency.
Desired Impact
Both lecturers and students alike have told us constantly that they would be very interested in knowing about the energy consumption of lectures, yet there is no tool available to easily gain access to this information. With our elecCalc, we intend to change this. While actively changing people’s behavior towards conserving energy might be a rather ambitious goal, raising awareness about issues is an important first step in this endeavor. By offering an easy-to-use, yet powerful toolkit, we intend to follow this initial step with the aim to change the way university lectures are planned and held towards a less energy-intensive scenario.
Relevant considerations for the challenge/theme
- The energy consumption of a lecture is very complex and influenced by several aspects. It is important to find a middle ground between a model simple enough so that the relevant data can be gathered easily and a model complex enough to not miss important details. You will need to make assumptions, but be careful to not oversimplify the model.
- Developing a calculator toolkit requires work on many fronts: The core calculator needs to be programmed with the appropriate model, taking care of as many edge-cases as possible. A pleasant and comfortable interface has to be created, such that the usage of the calculator is intuitive to use. Documentation has to be written. The list goes on. As a consequence, resources have to be allocated accordingly and you will need to make compromises to cover all tasks. What works for one university, might not work for another university. Make sure that the calculator is not designed to work only with one specific university in mind.
- The current elecCalc is published under a GPLv2 license, meaning that anyone can contribute to it. But this also means that, if you want to use it as a base, it must not result in a proprietary calculator tool. Also think about modularity and expandability so that, in the future, it is easy to add more functionality to it.
- The participants must agree with having the outcome of the challenge further expanded, for instance through other hackthons. Further, the participants must agree with making the outcome accessible to other TUM organizations, so that, in the best scenario, the final product can be adopted by a TUM organization and continuously used in favor of the whole TUM community and other universities.
Relevant links
Current publicly available version of the elecCalc toolkit
Scientific & technical implementation: Alexander Holas (alexander.holas@tum.de)
Data collection & communication: Catherine Yngaunis Koch (catherine.koch@tum.de)
Rainfall power to the people! (Energy)
Introduction
It’s all over the news: power shortages are coming this winter. And if that wasn’t big enough of a motivation: we still are dependent on fossil fuels! We need to change this. To lower their dependency on fossil fuels and achieve higher electrical independence, a lot of buildings and homes have been installing solar panels on their roof. Problem is: this doesn’t work on rainy days. But on these days, we have one big advantage: rainfall! What if we used rainfall to power our buildings? For example by using its potential energy. This is what this challenge is trying to achieve.
Probem Definition
Convert rainfall on roofs into a viable source of energy for buildings.
What is the Waste Challenge?
Rainfall goes directly to the sewers, leaving all the waste behind! This projects aims to tap into the potential of a yet untapped energy source, rainfall. Currently, most of the rainfall simply goes into the sewage system, completely unused. We want to change that and try to maximize its useto generate energy for houses, reducing energy demands to the grid and usenature as our advantage, whilst creating little to no waste.
- Is it possible to convert rainfall into energy?
- Is it possible to heat or power a home with this energy?
- Can it be economically viable?
Who is behind this challenge?
I am a Computer Scientist from EPFL passionate about energy, that’s willing to make a change for the climate.
Desired Impact
People would need to rely less on the grid and could generate energy for their own homes or buildings. This could compensate the major caveat of solar panels that function poorly when raining. Combining these two technologies would therefore bea step forward in the use of renewable energy and energetic independence.If this is a economically viable solution, it could help reduce households’energy bills and maybe be deployed in areas that are off the grid.
Skill needed/ recommended
Possibly fluid dynamics and / or mechanics to be able to optimize the performance of the system.